Daily News on Issues Affecting Africa for January 14, 2015

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today's In the News post are: Nigeria's best hope of tackling Boko Haram, Egypt's trade deal with Britain, floods in Malawi and Mozambique, the bid for land in South Africa, UN forces against FDLR, Africa and prospects for development in 2015, and more on Nigeria's election process.

Nigeria must confront Boko Haram – step forward, Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria is at war. In the past week alone the Islamist militants Boko Haram have slain hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people across north-eastern Nigeria, some with the help of child suicide bombers, including a 10-year-old girl. In recent months they have sacked entire towns and villages, and are now masters over 20,000 square miles of territory.

To read more from the Guardian, click here.

Egypt's president to turn economy around with mega trade deal with Britain

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi has secured a trade deal with Britain focused on developing the energy, real estate and construction sectors in the North African country.

The agreement came amid struggles to attract foreign investors and turn the country's economic fortunes around.

To read more from The Africa Report, click here.

Scores killed as floods hit Malawi and Mozambique

At least 48 people have been killed and around 23,000 forced from their homes by heavy flooding in Malawi, the country's leader said on Tuesday.

President Peter Mutharika has declared a third of the country a disaster zone and urgently appealed for foreign aid.To read more from the New York Times, click here.

To read more from BBC News, click here.

Mining companies, banks must expect protests in bid for land, financial services: EFF

The top six leaders of the party told reporters Tuesday, that the leadership would device a plan of protests against mining companies and the financial services sector.

President of the EFF Julius Malema said his party's policy was that foreigners should not own the land and investors with operations locally should partner with locals and benefit the communities in which they have businesses.

To read more from Times Live, click here.

UN forces ready to attack FDLR, as Luanda summit is called off

A military offensive against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) could kick off as early as this week as United Nation forces in DR Congo say they have positioned soldiers and equipment to attack rebel positions in eastern DRC.

The Special Representative of the United Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in DRC (Monusco) Mr Martin Kobler said that the UN forces are prepared to take part in a joint operations against FDLR elements, pending official clearance from President Joseph Kabila.

To read more from The East African, click here.

Macro Economics and Connectivity, a powerful combination

Africa remains a compelling investment prospect in 2015, despite negative headlines dominating coverage of the continent over the past 12 months. Technology and better transport links, on top of demographics and macroeconomic factors, should further drive development in 2015, says Geoffrey White, chief executive of Agility.

To read more from African Business, click here.

Nigeria: 14 to Contest Presidency, 732 for Senate Seats

The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) yesterday released the list of the 739 candidates that will contest the 109 seats in the Senate, indicating that former aviation minister, Stella Oduah, former acting governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar and former political adviser to the president, Ahmed Gulak did not make it as candidates in their respective zones.

To read more from allAfrica, click here.

Deadly bombings in Nigeria involve young girls

At least six people have been killed after two suspected children strapped with explosives blew themselves up in a market in northeast Nigeria, witnesses say.

Sunday's assault was the second attack involving young girls. The blasts struck around mid-afternoon at an open market selling cell phones in the town of Potiskum in Yobe state, one of three northeastern states after Adamawa and Borno that have been hit by the armed group Boko Haram.

To read more from Aljazeera, click here.